Utah’s wetlands provide a constellation of recreational opportunities, from sailing to photography, fishing to bird- and wildlife-watching, hunting to picnicking

Anderson, Janet

English

DigitalCommons@USU

Interpreting Utah’s WetlandsDecember 1998                                                                                                                                 No.  NR/RF/002IntroductionUtah’s wetlands provide a constellation of recreational op-portunities, from sailing to photography, fishing to bird- andwildlife-watching, hunting to picnicking.  Even more impor-tant are the roles wetlands play in the functioning of Utah’secosystems.  These roles include flood control, maintenanceof groundwater quality and levels, pollution control, waterpurification, and the provision of important wildlife habi-tat—all functions critical to a healthy environment.  Inter-pretive efforts that focus on recreational opportunities andwetlands education have the potential to benefit both hu-mans and their environment.There are approximately 558,000 acres of wetlands in Utah(World Resources Institute 1992).  Most of these acres arefound within the Greater Great Salt Lake Wetlands Eco-system (GGSLWE), which extends approximately 140 milesfrom Cutler Reservoir in Cache Valley in the north to UtahLake’s Lincoln Beach in the south (see figure 1 in Andersenand Associates 1995).  Environmental and recreational val-ues of wetlands take on special significance because theGGSLWE is located entirely within a semi-arid to arid re-gion of the country. Utah’s wetlands have declined by about 30% since 1780(World Resources Institute 1992).  While Utah’s wetlandshave been declining at a decreasing rate, they are still areasof major contention.  Growth and  development are threat-ening wetlands all along the Wasatch Front, and specificproposals that may further reduce wetlands are endorsedby both environmental (e.g., draining LakePowell) and development (e.g., building Legacy Highway)interests. In this highly charged political and economicJanet A. Anderson and Dale J. Blahnaenvironment, it is important to understand Utah residents’use of and attitudes toward wetlands a well as methods forencouraging a more knowledgeable citizenry.Assessment of Knowledge and ValuesA two-pronged study was designed to assess the public’swetlands knowledge and values and to plan appropriate in-terpretive messages for both current wetlands visitors andthe general public -- including, but not limited to, potentialvisitors. In the fall of 1995, 300 visitors were interviewed at10 locations throughout the Greater Great Salt Lake Wet-lands Ecosystem, and 300 residents of the seven-countyGGSLWE region were interviewed by telephone. There wasa 94% response rate for the on-site interviews (n=300) anda 63% response rate for the telephone interviews (n=300).The first priority of each interview was to establish themeaning of the term “wetlands.”  To accomplish this, sub-jects were read one of the following statements as part ofthe survey introduction.On-site interviews:We’re conducting a short survey about wetlandsalong the Wasatch Front and Northern Utah andwant to talk to people who visit these wetlandareas.  By “wetlands” we’re referring to placeslike this—areas with marshes, shallow ponds, orriverbank vegetation.Telephone interviews:Our survey is about wetlands in Utah.  By“wetlands” we mean areas like marshes,shallowponds, and riverbanks.The study identified gaps in public knowledge about someof the key ecological benefits wetlands provide while at thesame time exploring preferences for interpretive topics andmodes in wetland settings.  The combination of these find-ings points out important interpretive needs and opportuni-ties for increasing public understanding of and support forthe protection of wetlands resources in northern Utah.  (Thisreport summarizes the study’s findings; complete findingsare reported in Anderson and Blahna 1995.)Wetlands Visits and ActivitiesMore than one-half of northern Utah residents (50.9%) hadvisited at least one Utah wetland area in the previous 12months.  High participation rates in certain activities sug-gest that educational and/or regulatory information relatedto some recreational activities may be needed.Key findings:• Some of the major activities at wetlands locations include:sightseeing (55.3%), watching birds and wildlife (16%),photography or artwork (13.3%), and boating or canoeing(12.7%).  High participation rates suggest there may be aneed for information to support these activities.• High percentages of visitors socializing with friends orfamily (picnicking or socializing with friends/family: 16.6%)suggest that opportunities for group recreation and learn-ing are important.• Similar participation rates for hiking/nature trails (4.7%)and driving for pleasure (3.3%) suggest a need for bothdriving and hiking opportunities within wetland areas.•Almost three-quarters of wetland visitors (73.7%) weremale.Wetlands Awareness and KnowledgeSubjects interviewed at wetlands locations were asked ifthey were aware that the place they were contacted was awetland area.  Although 56% knew they were in a wetlandarea, more than a quarter (27.9%) did not.  Telephone sub-jects were asked simply if they were aware that wetlandsexist in the state of Utah.  Just 3.3% were unaware.A large majority in both groups said wetlands are impor-tant.  Compared with just half of the telephone subjects(50.2%), 78.8% of on-site respondents felt wetlands are“very important.” An open-ended question asked subjects,“What benefits, if any, do you associate with wetlands?”The most often named benefit was habitat for wildlife, es-pecially birds.  Several important topics were infrequentlynamed and could be made key interpretive topics.  Theseinclude flood control, maintenance of groundwater qualityand levels, pollution control, and water purification.  Therole of wetlands in broader ecosystems was mentioned byabout 40% of respondents and also warrants interpretation.Telephone respondents were more likely to identify recre-ational activities as benefits of wetlands.Key findings:• While there is a relatively high level of awareness thatwetlands, in general, exist in Utah, interpretation may beneeded to make visitors aware that they are using a wet-land area when the fact is not obvious.• Fundamental interpretive topics related to wetlands ben-efits include: flood control, maintenance of groundwaterquality and levels, pollution control, water purification, andthe role of wetlands in broader ecosystems.Interpretive PreferencesBoth on-site and telephone interviews revealed great inter-est in learning opportunities at and about Utah wetlands.  Infact, 49.2% of telephone respondents and 78.8% of thosecontacted at wetlands locations indiated that opportunitiesfor learning are “very important.”  Survey  respondents werealso asked to indicate what interpretive formats, or modes,would be of greatest value to them.  Orientation boards,personnel on hand, visitor centers, and exhibit signs wereamong the top five modes preferred by both groups.Key findings:• Wetland visitors want interpretation. Over 96% of thosesurveyed rate learning opportunities either very (78.8%) orsomewhat (17.8%) important.•   Maps and information on area birds are highly valuedinformation/interpretation items.• On-site visitors are interested in a wide variety of inter-pretive topics.  In fact, it appears that almost any site-re-lated topic will be of interest.  The quality and relevance ofthe interpretation will probably be more important than thespecific topic.  This generalized interest in interpretationsuggests a clear opportunity to focus on gaps in visitors’knowledge of the value and importance of wetlands.• History topics should be considered when planning forwetlands interpretation.• Interpretive modes preferred by both on-site and telephonesubjects include: orientation boards, personnel on hand, visi-tor centers, and exhibit signs.  On-site subjects would addbrochures and other print materials to the list, while tele-phone respondents would like to see nature trails.• Auto tours, which are commonly offered in wildlife ref-uges, and organized programs for children rated lowestamong interpretive preferences. This suggests thatplanners should not automatically default to auto tours asthe interpretive mode of choice.• Off-site, outreach interpretation should explain the valueand importance of wetlands (see knowledge results, above)and focus on the experience opportunities to be found there.• Employing and publicizing the telephone respondents’preferred modes (personnel to answer questions, exhibitsigns, nature trails, visitor centers and orientation boards)may be an effective strategy for bringing potential visitorsto wetland areas.Interpretive Preferences by SubgroupInterviewers asked individuals to rate their preferences forboth interpretive topics and modes.  Some of the prefer-ences expressed varied between the genders, between con-sumptive and  appreciative recreationists, and among agegroups.  These preferences might be utilized to reach groupspresently under-represented among wetlands visitors.Key findings:• Women displayed a significantly higher preference thanmen for four particular interpretive modes: personnel onhand, exhibit signs, nature trails, and visitor centers.  Em-phasizing women’s preferred modes and publicizing theiravailability in wetlands locations may increase women’s in-terest in visiting wetlands.• Information on area birds is a high priority topic for bothmen and women.• The 25 to 44 year olds (39.8% of visitors) had high posi-tive responses to a variety of interpretive topics and modes,suggesting an interest in interpretation in general.• Visitors in the oldest age category (65 and older) show apreference for visitor centers and personnel on hand to an-swer questions.  They also rate auto tours and group out-ings higher than visitors in other age groups.• Half of past wetlands users are hunters, trappers, or fish-ermen.  This suggests that interpretation should include in-formation on consumptive uses, laws, and safety.Utah vs. Out-of-State VisitorsAlmost half of wetland visitors (46%  on-site) were notUtah residents. Interpretive preferences of Utah residentswere compared with the interests of out-of-state visitors.Key findings:• Out-of-state visitors demonstrated greater enthusiasm thanUtah residents for interpretation in general.• Most non-residents were found at Great Salt Lake sitesand Antelope Island State Park.  Topics and modes ofinterest to out-of-state visitors should be concentrated inthese locations.•Preferred topics for out-of-state visitors include informa-tion on what to see and do, what activities are allowed orprohibited, and about wetlands and how they function.• Preferred interpretive modes for out-of-state visitors in-clude:  auto tours, brochures and other printed materials,visitors centers, group tours or outings, personnel on hand,and viewing blinds or observation towers.• Consideration should be given to encouraging more visitsby Utah residents (e.g., publicizing wetland activities andaccess points, inviting school visits, etc.).Preferences by Level of Past ExperienceNearly one-half (46%) of those interviewed by telephonehad never visited a wetlands area.  The responses of these“potential visitors” were compared with those who hadvisited varying numbers of times.Key findings:• Individuals with no previous experience favored one in-terpretive mode over any other: personnel on hand to an-swer questions.  If encouraging first time visitors is a goalof interpretation, supplying and publicizing on-site inter-preters may be critical, since many might never visit a wet-land area without the assurance of personal assistancewhen they arrive.• Telephone respondents rated auto tours higher than on-site visitors did, and those with no previous wetland visitsconsidered this a particularly important mode of interpre-tation.  Offering and publicizing auto tours—either orga-nized or self-guided—may be an effective way to attractpotential visitors.• Other topics and modes of particular interest to thosewith no previous visits include:  information on area birdsand wildlife, exhibit signs, and visitor centers.  These, too,may help first-time visitors feel more welcome.• Since on-site interpreters and visitor centers are com-paratively expensive modes of interpretation, probably justthe areas that could potentially attract large numbers offirst-time visitors (e.g., Great Salt Lake sites and AntelopeIsland State Park) should be specifically designed for thispurpose.Summary and ConclusionsThese results indicate several important implications forinterpretation and recreation in wetlands areas, particu-Utah State University Extension is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and educational organization.  We offer ourprograms to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,Robert L. Gilliland, Vice-President and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.  Published June 1998.Acknowledgments:The authors would like to thank the Utah Division of WildlifeResources, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commis-sion, and the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at UtahState University.Sources citedAndersen and Associates.  1995.  “Needs assessment and conceptualplan for interpretive recreation and education for the GreaterGreat Salt Lake Wetlands Ecosystem: Final Report.”Unpublished report prepared for the Utah Division ofWildlife Resources and Utah Reclamation, Mitigation andConservation Commission.Anderson, J. A., and Blahna, D. J.  1995.  ANeeds assessment: TheGreater Great Salt Lake Wetland Ecosystem,@ in Andersenand Associates ANeeds assessment and conceptual plan forinterpretive recreation and education for the Greater GreatSalt Lake Wetlands Ecosystem.@  Unpublished reportprepared for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources andUtah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.Pp. 9-59.World Resources Institute.  1992.  The 1992 Information PleaseEnvironmental Almanac.  Boston: Houghton MifflinCompany.Contributing Authors:Janet Anderson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department ofForest Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5215.Dale Blahna is an Associate Professor, Department of Forest Re-sources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5215.larly the Greater Great Salt Lake Wetlands Ecosystem.Nearly 50% of the residents of northern Utah who weresurveyed had visited wetland areas in the past year, andboth past and potential visitors indicated a high level of in-terest in wetlands education and on-site interpretation.The selection of interpretive topics is a critical consider-ation for both enhancing awareness and encouraging wet-land visitation.  While most respondents to both the tele-phone and on-site surveys indicated that bird and wildlifehabitat are important benefits of wetlands, few respondentswere aware of benefits related to groundwater quality andlevels, water filtering and pollution control, flood control,and the role of wetlands in broader ecosystems. Populartopics such as birds and wildlife may be used at all sites toattract visitors and hold visitor attention on-site, but thesetopics should lead to the less exciting but equally importanttopics related to wetland functioning, broader ecosystemvalues, and social benefits of wetlands.  Providing informa-tion on activities that are allowed or prohibited was a majorconcern for telephone respondents.  Both on-site and tele-phone respondents felt maps are one of the most importanttypes of information they would like to have made availablein wetland areas.Most interpretive modes were rated relatively high by bothsurvey groups, with “orientation boards,” “exhibit signs,”“visitor centers,” and “personnel to answer questions” ratedamong the top five interpretive modes by respondents toboth surveys. One surprise in the findings was the rela-tively low rating given to forms of interpretation targetedfor children.  In surveys conducted in park settings, inter-pretation for children is usually ranked relatively high.  Thiscould indicate that few children are currently visiting wet-lands and suggests that the focus of children’s interpreta-tion should be in outreach rather than on-site materials, andthat encouraging group visits (schools, scouts, etc.) is alsoneeded to both encourage visitation and increase wetlandsawareness of this important subgroup. An active educa-tional outreach campaign is also important for reaching visi-tors who tend to be under-represented in wetland areas,including women and younger adults.  Most of the respon-dents who indicated they would be interested in visiting inthe future are the same individuals who had already visitedduring the previous 12 months.Thus, expanding interest in and awareness of wetland func-tions, importance, and recreational opportunities muststart with an off-site educational plan designed to reachpeople in their homes.  First time visitors’ interpretive pref-erences overlap with older visitors and non-Utah (tourismbased) visitors, all of whom are most concentrated at, andtherefore can be served at, Great Salt Lake sites and Ante-lope Island. The protection of wetlands is dependent on in-creased public support.  The key to increased public sup-port is increased public knowledge of more of the vital eco-logical functions wetlands perform.  We must provide inter-esting, relevant, and significant interpretation to both  cur-rent visitors and the general public if increased wetland en-joyment and protection are to be achieved.It is important to note that these results are not representa-tive of all wetland visitors, because funding was only avail-able for conducting the on-site surveys during a two weekperiod in September, a time when there was no hunting andschool was in session.  Since the results provide only a “snap-shot” of current visitors, they must be supplemented withinput from a variety of other sources (resource profession-als, hunting and fishing groups, environmental groups, edu-cators, etc.) to provide a complete picture of the wetlandinterpretation and education needs of the Greater Great SaltLake Ecosystem Wetlands.

Interpreting Utah\u27s Wetlands

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Interpreting Utah\u27s Wetlands

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